Alternative View - October 3, 2017

Kingdom Parents Know the Power of a Name

What’s in a name? —William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Names today often don’t mean much. Many parents try to select a unique name for their child instead of giving thought to its religious significance. That’s how you end up with babies named for a fruit, color, or direction. In Daniel’s day, parents chose names impregnated with meaning for the present as well as hope for the future. The name Daniel ends with the Hebrew word El, which is the singular form of Elohim, the Hebrew word for God. The full name means “God is my Judge.”1 Daniel’s parents were intentional when they named him. But when Daniel came to Babylon, one of the first things his captors did was change his name to Belteshazzar, which means “O Lady, protect the king!” Lady was a reference to the mythological wife of the Babylonian deity “Bel.” It was King Nebuchadnezzar’s way of “Babylonianizing” Daniel.

Your name is important too. When you put your faith in Jesus and believe in Him as your Savior, then your name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 3:5). The God of the universe knows you by name. Isaiah 43:1 says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” What a wonderful promise of God’s redemptive love for His children! As you strive for godliness and kingdom parenting in modern-day Babylon, remember God has redeemed you.He sacrificed His own Son to adopt you into His family, has called you by name. You are His, so praise His name!

Application

1. Do you know what your name means? (If not, look it up on the Internet or find out at the library!) How about your kids’ names?

2. What are the practical implications of spiritualadoption on your life?

3. How can you use your child’s name to teach him or her about God?

Prayer

God, Your name is above all other names. Thank You for calling me by name. Help my children to know the power in their name and Yours. Amen.

Weighed down by emotional strongholds, depression, anger, anxiety or others? In this new 5 CD compilation, Tony offers you a solution. You'll also get Tony's new book, Overcoming Addictive Behavior, as a thanks for your gift of any amount. You CAN embrace healing and find liberation. Request your CD series and brand new book with your gift of any amount.

About The Alternative

The Urban Alternative is the national ministry of Dr. Tony Evans and is dedicated to restoring hope and transforming lives through the proclamation and application of the Word of God.

About Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is founder and senior pastor of the 10,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative, former chaplain of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and present chaplain of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 1000 US radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries.